Business Details
25 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care in Alvingham
Puddle Ducks Pre-school has been serving Alvingham and surrounding areas since 2001, providing quality childcare for children aged 0-12+. Our family-centred approach combines Montessori and Reggio philosophies with Forest School training to create a unique learning environment. We offer full-day care, before-and-after school services, and holiday clubs operating 49 weeks annually. Our woodland nursery, developed since 2012, features purpose-built facilities including a cabin and compost toilets.We follow Early Years Foundation Stage frameworks while maintaining flexible pricing structures tailored to family needs. Our team of qualified professionals delivers individualised learning journeys for each child, supported by ongoing staff training and community partnerships.
Services
Child Care
Early Education
Forest School
Holiday Clubs
Parent Partnerships
Woodland Nursery
Montessori Approach
Reggio Approach
Educational Activities
Before/After School Care
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We have 23 years' experience in early years education since 2001
- Our woodland nursery features Forest School Level 3 trained staff
- We combine Montessori and Reggio approaches for holistic development
- Flexible care available 7:30am-5pm Monday-Friday
- We work closely with local schools including North Cockerington
Associations and certifications
- OFSTED
- Forest School Level 3
Services
Forest School Program
Our Forest School program delivers outdoor education in a dedicated woodland setting. Children engage in nature-based learning through shelter building, wildlife observation, and seasonal activities. Qualified Level 3 Forest School practitioners guide sessions that develop resilience, teamwork, and environmental awareness while following EYFS frameworks.
Early Years Education
We provide structured early education for children aged 0-5 years through our Diddily Ducks (0-2 years) and Puddle Ducks (2-5 years) programs. Our curriculum combines Montessori materials with Reggio-inspired project work, supporting individual development across all EYFS areas while maintaining flexible care options.
Holiday Clubs
Mighty Ducks holiday clubs offer full-day care for school-aged children during term breaks. Our activity weeks feature sports, creative arts, and themed projects while maintaining access to woodland facilities. This service operates 49 weeks annually with flexible booking options for working families.
Parent Partnerships
We maintain close collaboration with families through individual learning journeys, regular progress updates, and home-activity suggestions. Our approach emphasizes parental involvement in development planning while providing resources for home learning extension through play-based activities.
Community Integration
As North Cockerington School's official extended care provider, we facilitate seamless transitions for children starting school. Our community governor involvement and local family collaborations strengthen our understanding of regional childcare needs and educational pathways.
People
Victoria Stratford
Manager/Owner
BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies graduate with 23 years' experience in early years education. Leads daily operations and curriculum development at Puddle Ducks Pre-school.
Jacqueline Stratford-Parker
Manager/Owner
Early Years Teacher with Forest School Level 3 qualifications. Oversees staff training and woodland nursery development at Puddle Ducks Pre-school.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We care for children aged 0-12+ across our Diddily Ducks (0-2 years), Puddle Ducks (2-5 years), and Mighty Ducks holiday clubs for school-aged children.
Do you offer government-funded childcare?
Yes, we accept 2-year-old and 3/4-year-old funded children, plus Working Family Funding. Term-time funding is available with flexible payment options for additional hours.
What educational approaches do you use?
We combine Montessori principles, Reggio-inspired project work, and Forest School methodologies to create individualised learning experiences aligned with EYFS frameworks.
Are you OFSTED registered?
Yes, we are fully OFSTED-registered and follow their Early Years Foundation Stage requirements while maintaining our unique educational philosophy.
What facilities do you have?
Our farm-based setting includes indoor classrooms, a woodland nursery with cabin facilities, compost toilets, and outdoor play areas supporting year-round learning.
How do you support school transitions?
As North Cockerington School's official extended care provider, we facilitate smooth transitions through shared educational approaches and our community governor involvement.
